Glasswort

Salicornia europaea

Physical Characteristics

Salicornia europaea is a ANNUAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft). It is in flower in August, and the seeds ripen in September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline and saline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

Distribution

Coasts of western Europe, including Britain.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Oil Seed Shoots Edible Uses: Oil Young stems - raw or cooked as a potherb, added to soups etc[5, 13, 52, 62, 183]. The plant is at its best for eating in late summer[264]. The stems are very succulent, but have a thin woody core that is easily removed[264, K]. They are best harvested when about 15cm long, the top 10cm being used leaving the bottom 5cm to produce new shoots[264]. They require little cooking, just adding them to a soup for the last few minutes of cooking is sufficient[9]. The plant has a salty flavour[183] and makes a very pleasant raw nibble[K]. The young shoots can be pickled after first boiling them in their own salted water[183]. Seed[105]. Rich in protein[183]. The seed is rather small and fiddly to utilize[K]. An edible oil is obtained from the seed. A high quality, it is similar to safflower oil (Carthamnus tinctoria)[183].

Medicinal Uses

None known

Known Hazards

None known